Vice President JD Vance didn’t hold back. He took CBS News to task after they published a story spotlighting his mother-in-law, Lakshmi Chilukuri, provost at UC San Diego’s Sixth College. Titled “She advanced DEI at her university. Her son-in-law, Vice President JD Vance, wants to end it nationwide,” the piece drew a sharp response from Vance. Conservatives call it a cheap shot from a desperate outlet.
CBS reporters Graham Kates and Daniel Klaidman dug into Chilukuri’s record. They highlighted her work on a race and gender course, her diversity committee role, and her pride in UCSD’s DEI efforts. Then they turned to Vance and Trump’s war on “wokeness,” noting early administration wins. Republicans see a clear trap, an attempt to smear by association.
Vance refused to play along. “I don’t like DEI, and I’m proud of what our administration has done on that front,” he told CBS News. “But I love my mother-in-law. If she doesn’t share my views on DEI, I suppose I’ll have to do what 99 percent of Americans do when confronted with a family member who doesn’t always agree with them: get over it.” Conservatives cheer his blunt common sense.
He sharpened his attack with precision. “This story exists because CBS has decided that harassing my mother-in-law is a reasonable price in order to attack President Trump,” Vance declared. The point lands hard. Why drag family into politics? Republicans argue it’s a tired leftist tactic when they’re on the ropes.
Chilukuri means more to him than headlines. “I choose to focus on her kindness and the fact that she’s an incredible mother and loving grandmother to the most important people in my life,” he added. Conservatives applaud this stance. CBS went low, but Vance rose above with dignity.
The Trump administration’s DEI purge sets the stage. With 89 executive orders in 50 days, they’ve dismantled programs across government and campuses. That March 4 speech? It earned 82 percent approval. Even CBS noted their parent company, Paramount, ditched DEI hiring goals in February—Republicans say it’s proof of who’s winning.
This clash has roots. Trump’s $20 billion lawsuit against CBS over a “60 Minutes” Harris interview claims election meddling—deceptive edits days before the vote. Now they hit Vance’s family? Conservatives smell a vendetta from a network scrambling to stay relevant.
Usha Vance, married to JD since 2014, stands by him with three kids in tow. Her mom’s caught in the crossfire, but Vance isn’t fazed. “They’re desperate!” supporters roar on X. Trump’s slashed crossings to 300 daily from Biden’s 10,000—CBS can’t touch that record.
The story’s a flop for Republicans. DEI’s crumbling, and Vance’s kin won’t change it. “They’ve got nothing left,” a fan posted online—voters see through this nonsense. Conservatives bet it backfires, the media’s tricks are old news.
America’s watching a warrior rise. Vance didn’t just scold CBS—he stood firm, defending family while Trump’s agenda rolls on. Republicans beam with pride. The left’s flailing, and Vance’s rebuke proves it—another win for the heartland, loud and clear.
